How A Former Make-A-Wish Kid Is Making Arizona’s Dreams Come True

Make-A-Wish is one of America's most inspirational organizations. They have one job: to bring the magic back to life for terminally ill children. From visits to Disneyworld, to celebrity meetups, this organization is here to make their wishes come true.

Now, one former Make-A-Wish recipient is using his second chance to bring the magic back to Arizona.

Battling Through Adversity

At two years old, Michael Monteleone had more experience in life than most grown adults. He was diagnosed with Leukemia, and after a promising few years, relapsed just three years later at age five.

Monteleone became a Make-A-Wish kid shortly after, and was granted his wish of visiting Disneyworld. Even after the life-saving bone marrow transplant he received, he says he never forgot how magical his wish felt. Now, Monteleone is attempting to share the love he felt with other children, and continue the Make-A-Wish legacy here in the Valley.

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Giving Back

Now, 35 years after his life-saving transplant, Monteleone has been working with Make-A-Wish as a volunteer for nearly 15 years. His goal? Simple. Make children in his situation smile. As someone who made it through his illness, he wants to give these kids a memory they'll never forget, especially after they beat what they're fighting.

In the past few years, Monteleone has raised over $100,000 got Arizona's Make-A-Wish branch, built sensory playgrounds across the state, and helped organize dream trips for children in the program. When you're given everything in your hour of need, it only makes sense to give that back.

[FOX10][@makeawisharizona via Instagram]